ROHM supplies Full SiC Power Modules to Formula E racing team Venturi

Enhancing performance through significant reductions in size and weight

ROHM has announced that will provide the full SiC power modules to the VENTURI Formula E team in the FIA Formula E 2017–2018 (season four), the leading racing event for electric vehicles starting on 2nd and 3rd of December in Hong Kong. This module will support further improvements in the car’s performance under racing conditions.

As the leading developer of SiC power devices, ROHM became VENTURI’s official technology partner in season 3, and provides the world’s most advanced SiC power devices used in the inverter, which is the core of the electric vehicle powertrain.

The inverter for season four features embedded full SiC Power module, making it 43% smaller and 6 kg lighter than the inverter for season two.

ROHM will continue making technological advancement in power devices, contributing to the development of society.

Inverter Comparison

Formula E is an all-electric-powered FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) championship that began in 2014. The series has expanded to cities around the world which has to date included cities such as Hong Kong, Berlin and New York. By not using fossil fuels Formula E champions a clean environmental approach. The key to victory in this racing series for the drivers is to use power as efficiently as possible by getting the maximum performance out of the stored energy. The advancement in Formula E technology is expected to filter through to developments in general-use electric vehicles. Although this motorsports event is still in its infancy, it already enjoys the participation of automotive manufacturers from around the world. Major automobile manufacturers including those from Japan have also declared their intention to take part in Formula E.

For many years, ROHM has provided a highly varied lineup of products designed for automotive use. These include power supply ICs, various control ICs, along with discrete products such as power devices, current detection shunt resistors. ROHM is pushing forward with the latest cutting-edge development of SiC power devices, which are expected to realize dramatic loss reductions compared to conventional Si (silicon) power devices. These power devices will be used more and more on electric vehicle (EV) motors and inverters.